Date Published 13 June 2025
While King Charles III was born on 14th November 1948, his official birthday is celebrated on 15th June 2024—and no, it's not because the King wanted a summer party! The reason behind this date has more to do with tradition and the British weather than with royal preference.
The custom of celebrating the sovereign's official birthday in summer goes back to the reign of King George II in 1748. Born in November like King Charles, George II decided to combine his birthday celebration with the annual military parade known as Trooping the Colour, traditionally held in June when the weather was more suitable for an outdoor display.
Since then, British monarchs have continued the practice, separating their actual birthdate from the grand ceremonial event that honours their reign.
This year's celebration carries on that legacy, with festivities across the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms. The centrepiece is, of course, Trooping the Colour, a spectacular military parade featuring over 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians.
It's a dazzling display of pageantry that concludes with the royal family's appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, waving to crowds as the Royal Air Force performs a dramatic flypast.
Beyond the parade, the King's official birthday is a time for national reflection on unity, continuity, and service. For many, it's also a fun, festive occasion marked by street parties, flag-waving, and that unmistakable sense of British pride.
Whether you're watching from the Mall in London or tuning in from across the world, the King's official birthday is more than just a date—it's a living piece of royal history that continues to connect people through ceremony, heritage, and celebration.
